Recently I viewed a short YouTube video about “The Evolution of [Google] Search “and I started thinking about the last time I gave a Library presentation about our resources, services and staff.  The video highlights the beginnings of Google which started as a research project in 1996 and how search has evolved. It includes such topics as universal results, quick answers, and the future of search.  I understand the importance and value of improving the Google search algorithm – using a word, a combination of words, phrase, or an image to retrieve relevant results but I know that Google is still not always enough.   This is the point I make when I give my presentation (Why the Library? Isn’t Google Enough?). 

The fact is that sometimes users need to look at alternate resources to find the information they seek.  Better yet, a trained reference librarian can bring value to the research results by identifying these alternate resources and showing how to leverage the various features each resource provides.

So do use Google but also don’t forget that the MSKCC reference team can be your information guide; their searching expertise and information resource knowledge can provide additional support in retrieving the information and published literature you need to get your work done.  Knowing all your resource options is the best way to start off any research project or information seeking task.

Donna Gibson
Director of Library Services